Automatic feeder mechanism for bottle-stoppering machines, &amp;c.



No. 732,987. PATENTED JULY 7, 1903. F. 0. WOODLAND. AUTOMATIC FEEDERMECHANISM FOR BOTTLE STOPPERING MACHINES, &c.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 15, 1901.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

N0 MODEL.

PATENTED JULY 7, 1903.

E. 0. WOODLAND. AUTOMATIC FEEDER MECHANISM FOR BOTTLE STOPPERINGMACHINES, 6w.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 15, 1901.

3 SHEETS$HEET 2.

N0 MODEL.

Mz'zmssses.

v U ITED STATES iatented uly '7, 1903 I PATENT FFICE.

ECONOMIC MACHINERY oORPORATION OF WEST CO., OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS,A VIRGINIA.

aumM'Anc FEEDER MECHANISM FOR BOTTFLEV-STOPPERING MACHINES; a

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters- Patent No. 732,987, dated J 111;7, 1903. ,Application filed April 15, 1901. Serial ita aszv. iNomodel.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK O. WOoDLAND,a

subject-of the King ofSweden and Norway,residing at Worcester, in thecounty of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new anduseful Automatic Feeder Mechanism for Bottle-Stoppering Machines, &c.,of which the following, together with the accom panying .drawings, is aspecification suffii ciently full, clear, and exact to enable personsskilled in the art to which this invention appertains to make and usethe same.

My presentinvention relates to the nature and constructionof mechanismfor selecting and deliveringin regular and successive order sucharticles as crown bottle-stoppers, sealing-caps,and other analogousdisk-shaped articles that will not uniformly balance when on edge; also,to the construction and combinations whereby such mechanism ismadeavailable for use in connection with a bottle stoppering machine fordelivering the crowns 4 is a central .vertical section of the-hopper andcrown-separating mechanism, on somewhat larger scale. Fig. 5 is atransverse central section of the seperator-way and oscillating plate.Figs. 6 and 7 represent similar section diagrams illustratingthe mannerin which oppositely-facing disks or crowns are separated for delivery inregular order. Fig. 8 is-a verticatsectional view of the back portion ofthe hopper mechanism, One-half at line X and one-half at line Y, Fig.4,1001:- ing in the direction indicated by the arrow;

and Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate modifications.

the nature of which is hereinafter explained.

Fig. 3 is a-plan or horizontal section below the line Fig."

stoppering machines of the class known as x crown beer or wine machines,and is herein illustrated (see Figs. 1 and 2) as applied to such amachine,which comprises a vertically-reciprocating head A, containingwithin it suitable devices for receiving the crown-stoppers and forcrimping the same upon the top of the bottles. Said head is carried byan upright rod B, guided and working in a standard or post C. A shelf orbottle-rest appliance D is connected with the post below the head and asuitable guide E arranged therewith.

for centering the bottle beneath the collaropening to the capping-ondevices. Said machine parts may be of well-known construction and thehead A Operated in the usual manner.

The feeder mechanism comprises a receptacle or hopper for containing thesupply of crown bottle-stoppers or articles to be sorted and fed to theaffixing-machine, a chute or guideway for directing the same tothe'place of aflixment or use, and means for automatically selecting,separating, or arranging the fed articles for delivery in. ample numbersand in uniformly-disposed order, said means .embodying the features ofinvention and operative organization, which I will proceed to describein detail.

The hopper or receptacle F, into which the crown bottle-stoppers orarticles to be selected and fed are deposited in a promiscnouslymingledmass, is in accordance with my invention provided with a circular bodycasing or frame F, arranged with the plane of the circle insubstantially upright position and embracing therein a separator way,chamber, or spaceI for the orderly assemblingand disposal of thecrown-stoppers or disks ,therein on their way to the exit-passage. Saidseparater-way is preferably formed by certain an i nular offsets andflanges integral with the body of the hopper. A circular opening 2 leadsfrom the hopper-basin into said separatOr-way 1. Within said chamber andforming a back inclosnre for the hopper I provide a movable plate G,preferably mountedon an axis stud or journal 3 in abearingehub 4,.

supported by a spider-frame or suitably attached to the back of thehopper-body. The plate G is disposed with its front face in suchrelation to the annular wall or flange f of the hopper-body that theintervening space or way will be slightly greater than the thickness ofthe crowns or disks or so that such crowns or disks can easily passbetween the surfaces in single edgewise upright position, but cannotenter diskwise nor in dual edgewise condition, as two laid fiatwisetogether.

The separator-way I includes a primary channel and a secondary channel6, disposed for the assemblement of the crowns in two series between thestationary wall and the movable plate G, the cross-sectional shape andrelative arrangement of the parts being preferably as shown in Figs. at,5, and 8. The stationary or body part F has an upright face plane f,terminating at an abrupt angle, offset, or ledge 7, and beyond whichthere is an inclined surface 9. These form one wall of theseparator-way. From the circular space there is a passage-way 8, throughwhich the crowns find exit into the chute or runwayconduit H. Saidpassage-way is of a dimension that will pass the crowns or disks onlyinsinglesuccessiveorder. Theoffsetorledge 7 is made of a form suitableto interrupt the flow of crowns and give lodgment to all inwardly-facingcrowns, but to allow outwardlyfacing crowns to slide past withoutbecoming arrested or lodged therein. The basin of the hopper is formedin such shape, preferably with a partially-spherical bottom and incline14, that the contents will slide downward against the plate G and fallinto the space I, where they assume an approximately edgewise uprightposition and in either front-facing or rear-facing order; but only thosewhich face in a predetermined direction can pass into therunway-conduit.

The separator-plate G is formed with a hollow or recessed centralportion 10, a faceplane surface 11, joining with the central sur-' faceby an incline 12 and outwardly with an.

inclined or offset rim-surface 13, that inclines backwardly from saidface-plane surface. The depth of the recess 10 in the face of the plateis best made approximately the same as the width of the separatorchannelor tendency to turn downward or assume an edgewise upright position andfall into the narrow part of the annular space, so that they will bereadily supplied to the delivery-chute. In the face-recess of the plateI provide one or more humps 15. or portions where the, face plane iswidened toward the axis, making an offset in the curvature of theincline 12, the purpose of which is hereinafter explained.

Combined with the plate I provide means for.

elevating the crowns or disks upward in the separator-way. This meanspreferably consists of a stud or finger 16, protruding through anopening into the separator way and carrier by a spring 17, secured onthe back of the plate. (See Figs. 2 and 5.) Other forms of elevatingmeans may in some instances be employed. 1 I

The runway or chute H is made of sufficient length to afford gravityfeed movement for the crown-stoppers or articles to pass therethrough,and its lower end is curved in a manner to lead into the throatway-guardK of a bottle=capping machine or to the required position offeed-delivery, where the articles are presented in regular arrangedposition and successive order. The peculiar construction of the deliveryend of the ru nway and the manner of combining the same with thethroatway of the cap-affixing mechanism may be of ordinary or anysuitable construction; but I have devised a peculiar improved collar andconnection therefor which forms the subjectmatter of a separateapplication for Letters Patent.

M indicates the actuating-rod, arranged to slide endwise throughguide-bearings 18 and 19 and carrying a rack 20, that meshes with apinion 21,fixed on the back of the plate G. The lower part of the rod issecured in a bracketear 23, fixed to the side of the bottle-stopperingpost or frame 0. Cushioning-springs 22 and 24 are preferably arranged onsaid rod above and below the bracket ear, as illustrated, which springsare of sufficient tensionto carry the power for moving the oscillatingplate, but act to prevent or reduce shock and jar on the mechanism whenchanging the direction of movement,thus making a smootherrunningmechanism. A spring 25 is connected with the lifter orrod at 26 and withthe hearing or projection 18, which is fixed to the chute H. Said springserves as lifting force for counterbalancing the weight of the feedermechanism in relation to the bottle-stoppering machine and renders theoperation somewhat easier than it otherwise would be. While the. spring25 isa desirable adjunct, the mechanism would not be renderedinoperative nor its mode of operation materially changed by the omissionof said spring.

For attaching the feeder mechanism to the bottling machine-head Ipreferably provide a circular or crescent shaped jaw or clamp P, rigidlysecured to the side of the chute H and adapted to embrace thehead-attaching hub a, that is'fixed to the top end of the rod B. Saidclamp-jaw is provided with a set-screw 27 for tightening it upon the huba, as indicated. The ends of the jaw are best connected by anupwardly-olfset tie 28, that straddles the arm 29 and prevents spreadingof the crescent clamp-jaw. The lower end of the chute is rigidlyconnected by screws 30 with the guide-- collar K on the lower end of thecapping-head A. Thus the chute and hopper are arranged to moveup anddown with the reciprocal mo-.

tion of the capping-head.

The collar K isprovided with a projecting horn or positioning-finger 31,that contacts with orstands adjacent to the side of the guid- 1 ing-boss32 on thehead A and serves as a but ifin any instance desired it can bemade guide when adjusting the feeder to the machine and for the correctpositioning of the feeder in relation tothe machine-head. The

lowerend of the collar K is suitably attached to the head-cylinder, asindicated.

The movable plate Gin the present instance works with a rotaryoscillating movement of about two-thirds revolution back and forth;

for continued rotation in one direction and operated by a pawl andratchet such as heretofore employed for imparting intermittent rotarymotion in machinery.

The front surface or flange f of the hopper- "body below the basin andthe rim 13 of the The operation is as follows: As the'hopper andchuteare supported in connection'with the head A andthe rod M is held inconnection with the stationary post, frame, or standtheminto the.primary channel 5 of the sep-,

rested by the ledge or offset 7 for return to the hopper, and thosefacing in right (lll6C-.

ard C, reciprocation of the machine-head efiects relative reciprocatorymovement be tween the rod M and hopper F, and the rack 20 and, pinions21 cause rotary action or movement 'of the separator-plate G. The,

crown-stoppers or articles to be fed to the machine are poured into .thehopper-receptacle F and slide down against the plate G, the

incline 12of which tends to turn and direct aratorway I, wheretheyassume in single row an edgewise upright position. Those that arefacingin the wrong direction become arrested or-lodg'ed upon the odsetor ledge7,,

(see Fig. 6,) while those that are facing in the right direction slidefromflsaid ledge into.

the secondary channel 6 and eventually by turn of the plate roll to theexit passage-Way 8.

and successively fall into the chute in proper order to be carried bygravity to the guidecollar K and take position therein ready to be.received upon the top of the bottle R and.

clenched thereon by the cap-setting die or appliances-when the machine-head is depressedin well-known manner.

In Fig. 8 therdisks or. crown-stoppers are indicated by dotted lines atS and S, those facing in: the wrong direction, S, being artion, S, beinginiposition to pass down the chute. The wrongly-facing crowns thatbecome arrested within the annular way are .bytherotative movement .ofthe plate and, the action of the elevating means 16 carried tothe upperpart of the circular way andpermitted to fall out from beneath'theflangcf into the general mass within the hopper, there to turn over and againslide down to the face of the plate G, the operation thus con-. tinuingwhile the machine is at work and the hopper has a supply ofcrown-stoppers therein.. The hump 15 as the plate rotates or oscillatesagitates the crowns that lie adjacent to the inner face of the plate andacts to separate and release crowns that have become nested together andto turn the crowns or change their position. This agitation is local ornear the plate-surface and does not, therefore, extend to scratch orinjure the crowns in mass, as would occur by a general agitation of themass within the hopper.

In some instances it may be desired to merely automatically arrangethecrowns or disks in successive single flatwise order without referenceto their direction of facing in either direction. The modification shownin Fig. 9 illustrates a construction in which the separator way andplate G is so formed that the crowns or disks will be assembled inflatwise order and passed through the exit without regard to theirdirection in facing. In this modification the movable plate hastherecessed face and the inclined step 12 but the outer backwardly-inclinedrim face is omitted and the face-plane 11 extended to the peripheraledge of the plate, also the exit passage-way 8 leads from the ledge oroffset shoulder 7 of the annular channel or space I.

In Fig. 10 I have shown a modification in which the selected crowns ordisksare taken I from the primary channel instead of the secondarychannel and in which the means for.

returning the wrongly-facing crowns is arranged to have its movementdistinct from that of the separator-plate, said, means con-.

sisting of a finger or fingers 116, passingaround the edge of the plateand the ends thereof traversing within the annular channel within whichthe crowns assume their edgewise reversely-facing position. .Asshown inFig. 10, the plate G andv returner-fingers: are arranged for independentrotary or oscil-.

lative movement about a common axis. The

rod M is connected with the hub of the plate by a crank 33 for impartinga swing or oscillative motion thereto, while it is'co'mbined with thehub of the returner-finger ar1ns1l6 by a pawl 34 and ratchet 35 forimparting to,

said arms an intermittent continued rovolu-j ble motion, so that thefinger ends 116 trav-. erse the annular channel 6, causing 'the.

crownsor disks therein to become elevated to the top of the circle,where they fall back,

into. thehopper F and assume new position. In the modification shown inFig. 10 thebear ing 4 for supporting the journal 3 of theseparator-plate G is disposed inside of thehopper,

an arrangement which in some respects is not as desirable asto have itat the exterior. The

eXitpassage-way 8 leads from, the offset or intermediary ledge. Theseparation of op positely-facing crowns or disks is efiected by thepassing of those rightly faced to the chute and the return of thosewrongly faced into the hopper from the secondary channel by thecontinued movement of the elevating devices.

What I claim as of my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

1. In combination, a hopper comprising the receptacle and a body-casinghavinga circular chamber disposed in upright relation and forming onewall of a separator-way, provided with flat and conical crown-supporting surfaces and an oifset adapted for the lodgment of crowns ordisksfacing in one direction while permitting those facing in the otherdirection to pass said ofiset, a movable plate forming one wall of saidseparator-way with opposing fiat and conical crown-supporting surfaces,an exit-passage radially from said separator-way for the non-interruptedcrowns or disks, a directing-chute, and means for moving said plate.

2. In a machine for the purpose specified, a separator-Way betweenopposite supporting-surfaces that admit the crowns in single flatwiseorder, said separator-way comprising a primary annular channel and asecondary annular channel having the circle thereof disposedapproximately in edgewise upright position; with an intermediary offsetor ledge that prevents the disks or crowns When facing in one direction,from passing from the primary to the secondary channel, while permittingthe disks or crowns when facing in the opposite direction to pass intosaid secondary channel, the exit passage and the chute.

3. In a feeder mechanism of the class described, the combination, of thehopper-receptacle, a hopper-body having an annular separator-wayincluding a primary channel, a secondary channel, and anarresting-ofiset, a movable plate or surface forming one wall of saidseparator-Way, an exit passage-way leading from one of said channels,and means for elevating the contents of the other channel to reenter thehopper-receptacle.

4. In a bottle-stoppering machine of the class described, thecombination, of a stationary frame, a movable head for securing thecrown-stoppers or sealing-disks to the bottles, a chute secured to themovable head for conducting the crowns or sealing-disks to the throatwayof the machine, a hopper mounted on said chute, comprising asupply-receptacle, a circular chamber or separator-way openingtherefrom, a crown-arresting ledge or olfset, and a passway into saidchute, a movable plate arranged in said circular chamber and forming onewall of a separator-way adapted for separating the oppositely-facingcrowns, an actuating-rod secured to the stationary machine frame andoperating connections for moving said plate by said rod.

5. In a feed mechanism for crown bottlestoppers, a hopper provided witha circular arranging-channel in which the crowns or disks assume singleflatwise upright positions, a rotatable plate, the surface of whichforms one wall of said channel, said plate having its face centrallyrecessed, and provided with an outwardly flared incline 12 facing theinterior. of the hopper and directing the crowns to said channel,substantially as set forth.

6. The combination with the hopper-body having the circular-chamberseparator-way I, with a flanged face-plane f, and an ofiset 7, and thehopper-receptacle delivering through an opening thereinto; of thepivoted movable plate inclosing said chamber and provided with theopposite face-plane surface 11, the central-recess 10 and inclinedrim-surface 13, formed substantially as set forth.

7. The combination, substantially as described, of the hopper having theedgewise upright circular separator-way, the rotatablymovable plateforming one side of separator-' way, a spiderframe with bearinghubattached to saidhopper, the axis-shaft of said plate supported in saidbearing-hub, a pinion fixed to said plate, the actuating-rod, and thetoothed rack carried by said rod and engaging said pinion, for thepurposes set forth.

8. In a mechanism for arranging and feeding bottle-stopper crowns ordisks, a hopperreceptacle having a side opening and an upright annulusof wall-surface about said opening,a movable plate guarding said openingand presenting an opposite parallelannularface or wall, a separator-waycomprised between said annular surfaces or walls, said hopper having aninclined bottom,'and said movable plate provided with an inclinedsurface leading vdown to said separator-way, the inclines on theopposite parts being disposed at different levels, substantially as andfor the purpose set forth.

9. In combination with the hopper having the opening in-the sidethereof, and the annular chamber; of the axially-supported movable plateinclosing one side of said chamber,

said plate having a recessed center, a faceplane surface, and aninclined surface about said recess, the circle or contour of saidinclined surface being interrupted by an ofiset or hump, for the purposeset forth.

10. 'lhecombination,with thehopper-body, and the centrally-pivoted platehaving the annular separator-way between their opposite faces, for theedgewise assemblement of the crown-stoppers in oppositely-facing series;of a spring secured to the back of said plate and a stud fixed to thefree end of said spring and extending through an opening in the plate,and presenting a rounded end within said separator-way, for the purposeset forth.

11. In afeed mechanism for bottle-stoppering machines, the combination,with the hopper, separator devices,and the delivery-chute, supportedupon the bottling-machine head,

and the actuating-rod supported upon a stationary part of the machine;of the suspending-spring 25 connected at its respective ends with thefeeder-chute body, and with said rod, and exerting force in oppositionto the gravity ofthe feed-hopper and appurtenant parts, substantially asset forth.

12. In combination with the hopper and chute secured to themachine-head, the rotatable separator-plate axially supportedinconnection with said hopper, and means for 0scillating said 'plate; ofthe plate-actuating rod, a bracket or eye-plate secured to thestationary part of the machine and serving as a guide for said rod, andcushioning-springs for said rod, arranged above and below said bracket,substantially as set forth.

13. In mechanism for the purpose specified,

' the combination, with the feed-hopper, and chute extending therefrom;of an attachingclamp fixed to said chute, and comprising a circular orcrescent-shaped jaw P having an upWardly-ofiset tie 28 uniting the endsthereof, said clamp adapted for surrounding the supporting-hub at thetop of the rod, and overbridging the arm that carries thestoppering-machine head; and a clamp-screw or means for tightening saidclamp upon the hub, substantially asset forth.

14. In a machine for the purposes specified, a collar provided with apositioning horn or finger adapted for contact against a part of thehead; in combination with: the bottlestoppering head, the feed-deliverychute attached to said collar, and a supporting-clamp whereby the chuteand feed-hoppers are carried upon the bottle-stoppering machine, substantially as set forth. 15. In a machine for the purpose specified,

in combination, a hopper-receptacle comprising a circularuprightly-disposed casing and a back plateeinclosinga separator-way intowhich the crown-stoppers or sealingwcaps gravitate from said receptacle,and presenting opposed supporting surfaces between which the crowns orsealing-caps are admitted to assemble in single fiatwise order, saidseparator-way provided with an exit-passage, and means for arresting,for return to the receptacle, such crowns or sealing-caps as face in onedirection, while permitting those facing in the other direction to gothrough the exit-passage.

16. In mechanism for the purpose specified, a hopper-receptacle, anadjoining annular separator-way disposed in edgewise upright relationthereto, and into which the crowns or sealing-caps pass from thereceptacle and are caused to assume edgewise upright positions in singleorder therein, an exit-passage leading from said separator-way, andmeans for detaining the crowns or sealing-caps that enter saidseparator-way facing in one direction while permitting the crowns orsealingcaps that enter facing in the other direction to descend throughthe exit-passage. a

Witness my hand this 12th day of April,

FRANK O. WOODLAND. Witnesses: a

CHAS. H. BURLEIGH, ELLA P. BLENUS.

